Brace Yourself

U-Ziq's the most high-profile alias of unassuming young Mike Paradinas, who, using little black boxes and a computer, makes hilariously vibrant breakbeat-based music that's vibrant, alive, and almost organic. Though frequently compared with so-called drill and bass artists like Squarepusher and Wabi Sabi, Paradinas is one of the most fascinating musicians of any kind, no matter where you lump him. His stuff delights in imploding dance music conventions: hyper sped-up breaks crash into inter-linked loops and washes of sound in ways you've never heard before and likely never will again ... at least until the next U-Ziq record or remix. --Mike McGonigal